APB Increases Stake in Jiangsu DaFuHao Breweries

Further to the Company's announcement on 25 March 2005 that its subsidiary, Heineken-APB (China) Pte. Ltd ("HAPBC") had acquired 40% stake in Jiangsu DaFuHao Breweries Co, Ltd ("DaFuHao"), the Company is pleased to further announce pursuant to 704(15)(d) of the Listing Manual that HAPBC has purchased another 9%, increasing its stake in DaFuHao to 49%.

HAPBC had also entered into an ancillary agreement with Nantong Alcohol Industry Co., Ltd where subject to certain provisions being fulfilled, HAPBC, over the period of the next 10 years, will have the right or will be obliged to increase its stake in DaFuHao. Such agreement remains in force.

The acquisition is not expected to have a material effect on the net tangible assets per share or earnings per share of the Company and Group for the current financial year and will be funded from HAPBC's shareholders equally, in proportion to their shareholdings.

None of the directors or substantial shareholders of the Company has any interest, direct or indirect in the acquisition.

Anthony Cheong Fook Seng
Group Company Secretary

23 March 2006